The New Carver Center Facility

Design :
​Construction of the new facility began in 2009. The design goal was to create an inspiring and engaging interdisciplinary organization that encourages interaction between academics and the primes within an environmentally sustainable design. The new facility which opened in August 2012 has been a labor of love for each faculty member, as they have worked with designers, architects, and contractors since 2009 to guarantee a space that will ensure all Carver Center graduates possess the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to be self-sufficient, creative, productive, and conscientious citizens in a dynamic world.

The result is an inviting building entrance expressing the educational programs inside and extending the educational programs out into the environment and site. The design reflects the large number of program areas that are required to be located on the first floor while creating a three story building that maximizes day lighting opportunities for the learning spaces and public spaces. The plan is designed and organized to maximize the interaction between the primes and academics through the creation of a main circulation path and a dramatic central space, where the works all of the school programs can be experienced by students and visitors. The engaging “central space’ is bordered by the 1000 seat Carver Theatre, the Black Box Theatre, Gallery space and the Culinary Arts program and Café.

Carver Center is committed to a technologically advanced and energy efficient facility that promotes student learning, study, and performance. A healthy environment is foundational to student learning and success. The new facility models this goal through its design, construction, and use. The building meets the LEED® for Schools criteria by the U.S. Green Building Council. The LEED for Schools Rating System addresses issues such as classroom acoustics, master planning, mold prevention, and environmental site assessment. Carefully planned acoustics and abundant daylight make it easier and more comfortable for students to learn. Clean indoor air cuts down on sick days and gives students a head start for a healthy, prosperous future.

Instruction:
​In conjunction with these design goals, the instructional goal is to ensure the creation of a unique, inspiring and energetic atmosphere of the interactive, ‘hands on’ educational philosophy. To fulfill this vision, all members of the faculty and many students participated in the design phase with the architects and in the planning phase for purchases related to the use of space - furniture, technology, etc. Students in the National Art Honor Society and students serving as teacher assistants have also acquired arts management skills as they have catalogued and prepared the nearly 300 pieces of artwork for transport to the new building.

Moving into the new facility and into our 20th year, we are excited to extend our educational programs into the environment and community including the philosophical “tearing down of the walls” that have been newly constructed. We are striving to deconstruct the lines between learner, community, and school, to move beyond the imaginary barrier that separates the schoolhouse, natural environment, and community. The aim of the new Cultural Services Coordinator is to invite the Baltimore community into the Carver Center experience and to extend the Carver Center experience into the community. One key component will be increased collaborations with cultural, artistic, and educational institutions. We are currently exploring instrumental music collaborations in order to bring instrumental music to more of our students since we do not currently have an instrumental music prime. In year one of the new facility, 2012-2013, the focus was on the permanent exhibit, as well as celebrating the 20th year anniversary of Carver Center. During year two the focus is on expanding to faculty works, and in year three, with the help of technology, it will extend to national and international works. To this end, all of the primes and academics will come together through productions, symposiums, permanent and rotating exhibits, speakers, guest artists, gallery showings and more to enhance cultural options for the Baltimore community, and to encourage and facilitate the Carver Center mission of immersing students in challenging and rigorous programs, implemented through the fusion of these disciplines, academics, evolving technologies, and professional experiences.

Campus Sustainability:
The United Nation has declared 2005-2014 a Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. As educators, we have a responsibility to inform our Carver Center community about the benefits of sustainability. We also have a responsibility to our students to advance their knowledge, skills, and motivation to make decisions and take actions that create and maintain an optimal relationship between themselves and the environment. Our plans therefore encompass reaching out to our entire Carver Center community – global internet visitors, Baltimore County, Carver Center families, students, faculty, and staff. This will be done in a manner that provides for the diversity of needs, abilities, and interests within the Carver Center community within the context of our mission - by immersing students in challenging and rigorous programs, implemented through the fusion of the primes, academics, evolving technologies, and professional experiences.

Learning opportunities are provided through:

Tours for schools and large groups

Graphic displays detailing the eco-friendly features of our building

A sustainability link on the Carver Center website highlights the building’s green features

A green slideshow will be created by students in the Visual Arts prime for the website as a virtual tour of the green features of Carver Center complete with an action component

Free information and resources about greening homes and schools, as well as current news and information about the environment are available in the main office and in the faculty lounge.

Students will develop a self-guided green tour of the campus for visitors

Students will investigate and analyze environmental issues – local and global – as appropriate in the curricular areas

Action opportunities are provided through:

Comprehensive recycling programs throughout campus

Students develop and implement local action projects as appropriate in the curricular areas

Social Studies and Health students analyze and interpret the positive and negative impacts of natural events and human activities on human health on campus and publish their findings in various Carver Center media outlets – Catalyst (school newspaper), website, Twitter feed, etc.

Students investigate the interdependence of the planned and human Carver Center community and publish their findings in various Carver Center media outlets – Catalyst (school newspaper), website, Twitter feed, etc.

AP Environmental Science students develop and facilitate an annual campus-wide Earth Day Celebration with educational components and action components appropriate for each grade level.

In collaborative teams students will develop a Green Pledge for the Carver Center community and will encourage members of the community to sign the pledge and as a commitment to helping our environment, saving resources, and becoming green.

Continuous innovation opportunities are provided through:

A Green Team that researches new, successful environmental practices and implements strategies as appropriate at Carver Center